Folding-frame aerial



Dec. 17, 1929. P. RINKEL 1,739,860

FOLDING FRAME AERIAL Filed Jan. 15, 1925 Patented Dec. 17, 1929.

PAUL RINKEL, or IBERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG, GERMANY FOLDING-FRAME AERIAL Application filed January 15, 1925, Serial No. 2,694, and in Germany January 15, 1924.

In the known forms of construction of folding frame aerials special devices such as springs, fixing contrivances are provided in order that when the frame is in the open or in the folded state as well as when the folding is effected, the aerial windings may be secured in their position in relation to the frame and that at least in the extreme positions the loosening of the winding may be avoided.

In the present invention the aerial frame consists of a carrier comprising movable links of the kind hereafter described, on which the aerial wire is wound in such a manner that in any position in the folding'process the aerial 5 wire is kept straight and under uniform tension. The frame carrier is composed of links which are connected with one another by pivots. When the frame is in the collapsed condition these links are directed alternately outwards and inwards. At the pivot points the frame carrier is provided with rollers over which the aerial wire is laid. In order to keep the same length and therewith equal tension of the aerial wire in any position in the folding process, these rollers are of equal diameter. Further the aerial wire is laid in the same direction around all the rollers. In the case of the links which are turned inwards when the frame is collapsed, the aerial wire is put in a complete loop around the roller. The aerial wire crosses itself on the rollers that fold inwards. In order to avoid any chafing of the wire in the folding process, the rollers are provided with helical grooves which form guides for the wire.

The drawing illustrates one form of construction.

Figs. 1 to 8 give a diagrammatic representation of the frame aerial in three different fold- 4 ing positions.

Fig. 4 the manner in which an aerial wire is wound.

Fig. 5 illustrates a part of a wire winding roller on a larger scale.

4 Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the frame aerial fully opened out and fully collapsed respectively.

In the drawings the aerial frame links k 7L 7a, are pivotally connected together at a, b, 0, d, e, f so that in the present case for example a hexagonal flexibly jointed polygon results.

When the folding is effected the frame takes the form shown in Fig. 2 and finally the collapsed form shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7.

Of the points of connection a, c, and

6 go outwards when the collapsing occurs, whilst the intermediately situated links I), d and f are moved towards'the middle. To the polygon angles a, e and c that go outwards, are pivoted radial stays 1}, 2' and i which are also pivotally connected in the middle of the polygon at the point 9. The frame carrier thus consists of link quadrangles and forms a movable frame work.

'In order that when in the collapsed state (Figs. 3 and 7) the links should lie as closely against one another as possible, the links h and the stays 2' 2' are partially bent or curved'as shown in the example of construction illustrated.

stretched.

The radial stays 2' i 2} limit the mobility of the frame carrier and contribute essentially to the stabilizing of the carrier. These stays are not however essential tothe invention and in certain cases may even be omitted. In that case the frame in the extreme positions for example, would have to be secured by the tightening up of clamping screws.

When radial stays (i) are employed one of the same can be advantageously used for supporting the frame. In the same case, the radial stay '5 to which the frame carrier is symmetrical serves for example as a support standard.

Fig. 4 shows the position of the aerial wire Z on the Winding roller m provided in the points a to f. In order that the same length have equal diameters.

Further the aerial wire is always wound in the same direction around each of the rollers. In the case of the points (Z2 and (Z) which are inwards in the collapsed state, the aerial wire is wound in a complete loop Z around the roller m As is to be seen from Fig. 5 the bearing rollers for the aerial wire are formed with helical grooves whereby the chafing of the winding wires and the premature breaking of the same in the folding process is avoided.

I claim:

1. In a folding frame aerial, rigid links forming a polygonal frame for carrying the aerial wire, means pivotally connecting the ends of said links at the corners of the polygonal frame, several pairs of neighbouring links forming points directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, radial bars pivotally connected with one of their ends to the corners formed by said pairs of link forming points not directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, and means pivotally connecting the other ends of said radial bars.

2. In a folding frame aerial, rigid links forming a polygonal frame for carrying the aerial wire, means pivotally connecting the ends of said links at the corners of the polygonal frame several pairs of neighbouring links forming points directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, radial bars pivotally connected with one of their ends to the corners formed by said pai s of links forming points not directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, means pivotally connecting the other ends of said radial bars and a prolongation of one of said radial bars over the corner of the frame, to which it is pivoted, serving as supporting standard for the frame.

3. In a folding frame aerial, rigid links forming a polygonal frame for carrying the aerial wire, means pivotally connecting the ends of said links at the corners of the poly onal frame, at least one pair of neighbouring links forming a point directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, wire supporting rollers of equal diameter in the corners of said frame and loops of the aerial wire around the rollers of those corners formed by the pairs of links forming a point directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded.

4. In a folding frame aerial, rigid links forming a polygonal frame for carrying the aerial wire, means pivotally connecting the ends of said links at the corners of the polygonal frame, at least one pair of neighbouring links forming a point directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, wire supporting rollers of equal diameter in the corners of said frame, grooves in a flat pitched helical line in the surface of said rollers and loops of the aerial wire around the rollers of those corners formed by said pairs of links forming a point directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded.

5. In a folding frame aerial, rigid links forming a polygonal frame for carrying the aerial wire, pivots connecting said links at the corners of the polygon, wire supporting rollers of equal diameter on said pivots, grooves in a flat pitched helical line in the surface of said rollers, several pairs of neighbouring links forming points directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, a wire loop around the rollers of the corners of said pairs of neighbouring links forming points directed into the interior, when the frame is folded, radial bars pivotally connected with one of their ends to the corners of said pairs of neighhonrin g links forming points not directed into the interior of the polygonal area, when the frame is folded, a pivot connecting the other ends of said radial bars and a prolongation of one of said radial bars over the corner, to which it is pivoted, serving as supporting standard of the frame.

Dated this 31st day of December, 1924.

PAUL RINKEL. 

